I am gearing up to reload 6.8 SPC and could use some advice on components and powder. My AR has an 18" ARP barrel with 11.25 twist hybrid 5R rifling and will be used for general purpose (70-30 hunting and target).

- brass can be had with either small or large Rifle Primers, which is suggested? Which is considered "standard" in factory loadings?
- rifle shoots factory Hornady 120 gr SST loads very well so will load some of these and thinking also of trying Nosler 110 gr Accubond, 115 SMK and 115 Nosler Target, are there any clear winners here or other suggestions?
- Powder, I want a temperature stable powder that runs clean with the highest accuracy, what are the top powders used/suggested?

Looking to get a head start and narrow down options, thanks!

I don't reload yet, but I will make a comment on the primers.
My rifle hates either Remington, or large primers. Everyone else uses small primers (ssa,hornady)
In doing some research to figure this out I learned that the original military load uses a large primer due to cold weather, and accuracy is not an concern.

What I understand is that large primers in the 6.8 are a waste these days. I believe the original factory offerings were with large primers.

120 SSTs are highly thought of in most 6.8 circles, especially for hunting.

AA2200 seems to be the powder of choice as well, followed by H322. There are others too.

Suggest you go to 6.8 forums and read up before you get too far down the 6.8 reloading path. http://68forums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?56-6-8-SPC-Ammunition-amp-Reloading

anyone know where you can get A2200? I found some in 8 lb's, don't need that much

AA2200, 8208XBR, RL-10x, and H-322 work good.

You're probably not going to find any Accubond bullets, but there's plenty of others in that weight range to pick from.

You'd be surprised at how quickly you can burn through some powder once you get into it. I'd get the 8 and never look back. You never know when the next shortage is just around the corner.

Thanks all. I have ordered 8 lbs of AA2200, Hornady brass and 120 SSTs. I appreciate the advice and helping to narrow down the options.

Sounds like you are off to a good start!

ARP barrels are probably one of, if not THE best barrels in this caliber.

Mine love 120gr SSTs but the piggies in the area don't like them a bit!
I have taken over 200 pigs with them over the last 3 years, mostly at night.
My Nephew has taken a couple of nice whitetails with them too.
My son, who is much steadier than my 60+ years has shot a 5/8" 5 shot group at 100 yards with them.

As for powder, AA2200 is the king of velocity and pretty darned accurate too.
I found RL10x to have a slight edge in accuracy but is down just a little to AA2200 in velocity.
AA2200 is just slightly "dirtier" when shot and leaves a soot on my NIB BCG but wipes off easily.

As for brass, I am mostly using Remington LRP brass because that's what I could get at the time a few years ago.
SSA brass seems to be the bomb and will stand up to a little more pressure but I've had trouble finding it for a reasonable price - well, finding ANYTHING firearm related at a reasonable price has been tough but it's getting better.
Keep an eye on the primer pockets on the Hornady brass if you load at the upper end of charge weight.
The S&B brass I have used seems to be very soft and has trouble holding primers after only 1 or 2 reloads.

Good luck Sir and if you have questions, I will try to help but the best source for all things 6.8 is www.68forums.com.
Harrison from ARP hangs out over there and the knowledge base is the best there is for that caliber.

And welcome to the 6.8 family!